SK man sentenced in DUI-related death

June 25, 2013

Dean Philbrick, here with his attorney, Melissa Larsen, was sentenced in Washington County Superior Court Monday.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN â€“ The man charged with the driving under the influence-related death of 23-year-old Erica Knowles in February 2012 was sentenced to prison Monday in Washington County Superior Court.

Dean C. Philbrick, 48, of South Kingstown, pleaded no contest to one count of driving under the influence â€“ death resulting and one count of driving to endanger â€“ death resulting.

For the driving under the influence charge, Philbrick was sentenced to 15 years at the ACI with seven to serve and the remainder to serve as a suspended sentence with probation. He was also assessed a $5,000 fine, five years loss of license upon release and ordered to obtain alcohol treatment and counseling. For the reckless driving charge Philbrick was sentenced to 10 years in prison with seven to serve and the remainder to serve as a suspended sentence with probation. He was also assessed a $5,000 fine and five years loss of license upon release. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Knowles, 23, of 95 Wood Lane, South Kingstown, died after the vehicle Philbrick was driving struck a tree on Torrey Road in the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2012.